10 Interesting Facts About Pyongyang

For the country who barely like visitors and do the inquisition, it’s hard to get closer to it. The nation whose leader is the center of interest of almost every known news agency in the world. North Korea, the land that hides behind secrets. What about its capital? Let us talk about Pyongyang, Capital city of North Korea:

Pyongyang Skyline in the night

Image: Flickr

1. Pyongyang, The Special City Of North

Pyongyang, capital of the Democratic People’s Republic Of Korea, is Directly Governed City with an estimated population of more than 3 million and is the largest city of the country. In English, Pyongyang translates to “Flat Land.”Source: dictionary.com

2. Capital Of Willows

One of the nicknames of the Pyongyang is Ryugyong meaning “Capital Of Willows.”Source: Wikipedia

3. Historical Capital Of Old Joseon

It is said to be the capital of the Old Joseon under the legendary king Dangun founded in 1222 BCE. The history of Pyongyang in records began in 108 CE with intrusion from China. It was captured by Chinese invaders and later became second capital of Joseon. After the Japanese annexed Korea, the city was devastated. After the division of Korea, the city was rebuilt in 1953 with the help of the Soviet Union and Chinese assistance.Source: britannica.com

4. Namesake Capital

Pyongyang became de facto capital in 1948. North Korean government had plans to capture Seoul. They eventually met with defeat in the Korean War, during which Pyongyang was destroyed and briefly occupied by South Korean forces.Source: Wikipedia

5. Largest Stadium Of The World

Rŭngrado May First Stadium

Rungrado first of May stadium or May Day Stadium is world’s largest stadium with eight college football stadium and Melbourne Cricket Ground.Source: worldatlas.com, Image: Wikimedia

6. Song Of General Kim Il-sung In Arch

Arch of Triumph

‘Arch of triumph’ is the triumphal arch in Pyongyang build in commemoration of Korean resistance to Japan from 1925- 1945. It was shaped after ‘Arc de Triomphe’ in Paris and is a second tallest arch in the world.Source: Wikipedia, Image: Flickr

7. Traffic Lights… Sorry! Ladies Of Pyongyang

Traffic Ladies in Pyongyang

North Korea doesn’t have a street light. Instead, they have beautiful and disciplined lady officers, known as Traffic Ladies. The condition for becoming one is, be single.Source: dailymail.co.uk, Image: Flickr

8. The Popular Sport

Rollerblading is so popular in Pyongyang that you will be tired of counting rollerblading locations there.Source: businessinsider.in, GIF: gifer.com

9. Pyongyang Time Is No More!

North Koreans had different time zones before known as Pyongyang Time, which was half hour behind South Korean and Japan Time. It was changed to synchronize with the time Zones of South Korea.Source: BBC

10. The Guinness Book and Pyongyang

Ryugyong Hotel

The Ryugyong Hotel in Pyongyang is world’s tallest unoccupied building, with its full height of 330m was reached, when construction was stopped in 1992.Source: guinnessworldrecords.com, Image: Wikimedia